supercritical fluids

Supercritical fluids are substances at a temperature and pressure above their critical point, where they exhibit properties of both liquids and gases. In this state, they can diffuse through materials like a gas but dissolve substances like a liquid. This unique behavior makes them useful in applications such as extraction, cleaning, and chemical reactions, where efficient penetration and solvent capabilities are needed without the drawbacks of traditional liquids or gases. An example is supercritical carbon dioxide, widely used for decaffeinating coffee and extracting natural compounds due to its effectiveness and environmentally friendly nature.